Economic Weapons: Are Sanctions a New Form of Total War?

This article examines the nature of contemporary economic sanctions, challenging their perception as a benign alternative to armed conflict. Drawing on the work of Nicholas Mulder, the author traces the evolution of lockdown mechanisms from World War I to today's digital era. The article demonstrates how bureaucratic tools such as blacklisting and payment system shutdowns have become a modern form of systemic siege. It examines the concept of "weaponized interdependence" and the role of financial and technological infrastructure in engineering global domination. The article sheds light on the ethical and humanitarian costs of bureaucratic violence, which, under the guise of procedural power, can destroy entire societies while maintaining the appearance of civilized peace.